Can One Celebrity or NGO Divert the Storm of Climate Change?

By Krystof Huang, April 4, 2025
The climate crisis is the defining issue of our era. If Noah’s ‘Ark is a true story — Climate Change is worse — and it is certainly true. Governments and corporations make promises, but action is slow. Meanwhile, the financial industry continues to fund fossil fuels and environmentally destructive industries. But what if a single high-profile figure—an A-list celebrity, a powerhouse NGO, or an iconic brand—could shift TENS OF TRILLIONS of dollars into sustainable investments?
The S&P 500 Problem. The S&P 500 has a net worth of about US$40 trillion–about 80% of the USA stock market. The S&P 500 is the backbone of the global economy. Yet nearly a third of its companies refuse to follow ESG rules. Many environmentalists say the ESG rules are much too easy to qualify for. But think it over! If that is true — what exactly does that say about the non-qualifying companies? They are the worst of the worst.
The 2/3 majority of companies want change. And ethical investors want change. However, they are often locked into default investment portfolios laced with unsustainable corporations. Friends and enemies alike shout loudly that ESG investing is growing fast. That is technically true. But “follow the numbers.”
If a doctor tells you that an expensive drug will improve your changes of survival 1,000% — that sounds great. But ask for the numers. If your chances are increasing from 1% to 10% — that might not add much hope.
Similarly, ESG is only growing from about 0.1% to 1.1% of the stock market.
The ESG-500 Opportunity. The ESG-500 index already proves that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. Over the past decade, ESG-500 funds have matched or even outperformed the S&P 500. The only missing piece? Visibility. If just one major influencer championed an ESG-500 mutual fund, it could shift public perception—and capital—on a massive scale.
The Potentially Potent Power of Celebrity and NGO Influence. Celebrities have historically driven massive shifts in public consciousness—whether it’s Oprah Winfrey shaping book sales, Greta Thunberg igniting youth climate activism, or Elon Musk normalizing electric cars. If a major public figure endorsed an ESG-500 fund, it wouldn’t just be another investment vehicle; it would be a movement.
A Concrete Plan for Impact.
Launch a Non-Profit Exchange-Traded ESG Mutual Fund. A dedicated fund that prioritizes companies with environmental, social, and governance standards. And that includes hard-core “Climate Bonds” and “Green Bonds.” Any stock broker can tell you how this can be done using what are called “long deriviatives.” Without using what is called “leverage” or “margin.” Thus without adding stock market risk and without sacrificing financial performance.
Secure High-Profile Endorsements. A-list celebrities or respected NGOs can elevate the fund into mainstream conversation. B-list celebrities might also elevate themselves to planetary conversation by using their face to help the planet. And A-list celebrities can also be sure they remain on the A-list. Which is not so easy.
Drive Mass Awareness.Crowd-sourced investment campaigns, viral social media challenges, and direct action initiatives can create momentum.
Pressure Policymakers. A well-funded ESG movement can advocate for legislation that rewards sustainable investing.
Just a few of many celebrities already leading the ESG movement.
Leonardo DiCaprio – His foundation has granted over $100 million to environmental causes and backs climate-focused investment funds.
Jane Fonda – An official spokesperson for Greenpeace. Also leads Fire Drill Fridays, pushing for fossil fuel divestment.
Ashton Kutcher – Co-founder of Sound Ventures, which includes ESG and impact-focused investments.
Emma Watson – Advocates for ethical fashion and sustainability.
Mark Ruffalo – Supports renewable energy investments and anti-fossil fuel campaigns.
Proven Models to Follow
Aspiration Bank – A financial firm offering sustainable investment options, backed by high-profile supporters like Leonardo DiCaprio.
BlackRock’s ESG Funds – The world’s largest asset manager has shifted billions into ESG-friendly investments due to investor demand.
Patagonia’s 1% for the Planet – A company committing a portion of its revenue to environmental causes.
Tesla’s Market Disruption – While not a fund, Tesla has proven that capital can be redirected toward sustainability.
The Giving Pledge – A commitment from billionaires like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to invest in socially responsible causes.
How to Leverage These Success Stories
Celebrity-Led Fund Launches – Align with influential figures to bring ESG-500 funds into the mainstream.
Strategic Partnerships – NGOs, sustainable banks, and ethical brands can strengthen credibility.
Crowdfunding & Digital Campaigns – Online platforms can democratize investment and encourage grassroots participation.
Political Advocacy – Push for financial incentives that reward sustainable investments.
Corporate Engagement – Major brands and institutional investors can be challenged to shift their portfolios toward ESG assets.
Audience Engagement Strategies
Influencer & Social Media Marketing – Use content creators and activists to spread the message.
Live Events & Webinars – Host discussions with experts and high-profile figures to build credibility.
Gamification & Rewards – Incentivize ESG investments with digital rewards, carbon credits, or exclusive perks.
Educational Content – Simplify ESG investing with clear, engaging, and shareable resources.
Community Building – Create local ESG investment groups, university programs, and digital communities.
The Future is Ours to Shape.
This is not a hypothetical. The money exists. The desire for change is clear. The missing link is a movement powerful enough to redirect capital at scale.
One celebrity. One NGO. One fund. That’s all it takes to turn ESG investing from a niche product into the default option.
The question is: Who will lead the charge?